Celtics 2024-25 schedule tracker: Latest updates on the best games and dates originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
For the first time in 16 years, the Boston Celtics will open a new NBA season as defending champions.
The Celts won league record 18th championship by defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the 2024 NBA Finals in June.
Winning a title is difficult, but defending it is often more difficult. The league has had a different champion for six consecutive seasons. The last team to repeat as champions was the Golden State Warriors in 2016-17 and 2017-18.
The Celtics will open their championship defense against longtime rivals, the New York Knicks. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Monday that the C’s grab your rings and raise your 2024 flag on Tuesday, October 22nd against the Knicks at TD Garden.
The entire 2024-25 schedule is expected to be released later this week, but leaks are already happening. Here is a summary of the latest reports and rumors surrounding the Celtics schedule for next season.
Opening night
The Celtics will host the Knicks on Tuesday, October 22 in the first game of the 2024-25 season, per Atlético’s Shams Charania. It will be the Celtics’ first championship flag-raising ceremony since Oct. 28, 2008, against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Christmas Day
The Celtics will face rival Philadelphia 76ers at home on Christmas Day, for Atlético’s Shams Charania. The C’s beat the Lakers in Los Angeles on Christmas last year.
NBA Finals rematches
Celtics fans will have to wait until the new year to see a 2024 NBA Finals rematch. The Mavericks will host the Celtics on January 25th and travel to Boston for a matchup on February 6th, per Atlético’s Shams Charania.
